NFL rule changes have created tangible edge for sharp DFS players

We're now well past the halfway point of the 2018 fantasy football season, and I'm currently on pace for easily my most profitable year in recent memory.

While I would like to take all the credit, I actually need to thank the NFL for the endless stream of rule changes in recent years that have buoyed passing attacks and led us to this season's offensive explosion.

These rule changes have come with an easily identifiable side effect for daily fantasy: increased tempo and passing attempts – particularly in short-yardage situations – have concentrated usage at the RB position and opened up countless value plays at wide receiver each week.

Why pay $8,600 for Julio Jones when I can guarantee myself 20-25 touches from Melvin Gordon at the same price and still get eight targets from Calvin Ridley at $6,400?

What I'm trying to say is simple: load up at running back and fill in from there. That doesn't mean you can't use RB value – think Nick Chubb in Week 8 – but don't settle for the Aaron Jones of the fantasy football world just so you can angrily watch DeSean Jackson outscore Mike Evans on Sunday.

Now onto some picks for Week 10:

Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,900 DraftKings/$7,600 FanDuel): We'll live with the occasional interception for the 40 to 50 passes Fitzmagic will attempt each week. The Bucs have playmakers in the passing game and zero in the run game. They'll keep airing it out.

Joe Mixon ($7,700 DraftKings/$8,000 FanDuel): The Saints have actually defended the run well this season, but they can be beat by pass-catching backs. Mixon fits that bill, and the Bengals will need to rely on him heavily with A.J. Green out.

Tarik Cohen ($5,500 DraftKings/$6,400 FanDuel): All it took was one dud against the Bills to send Cohen's price plummeting. The Bears didn't need to utilize Cohen in Buffalo, but he will be back in the gameplan this week against a Lions defense that is a perfect matchup for Cohen's skill set.

Cooper Kupp ($6,400 DraftKings/$6,500 FanDuel): Kupp's price actually went down by $300 on FanDuel after he returned from injury in Week 9 to post 17.4 points against the Saints. He has six TDs in six full games and now gets a Seattle defense he lit up for 6-90-1 in their first meeting.

Jarvis Landry ($6,200 DraftKings/$6,400 FanDuel): We make fun of the Bucs' defense quite a bit, but we shouldn't let the Falcons off the hook. Simply put, Atlanta has been horrific defensively. Landry is second in the NFL in targets. The big game is coming.

Trey Burton ($3,900 DraftKings/$6,100 FanDuel): Tight end is always a tough position to find dependable value, which is especially true on this week's main slate. Burton's price stands out on DraftKings, but he's also in the conversation on FanDuel with TDs in four of his past five games.